Last Week at the Legislature
Sunday, February 25, 2024
Hi Friend,
Welcome to Last Week at the Legislature, my weekly report to you on what's happening in your State House and how I'm representing our community.
First, before House bills can receive a vote on the Floor, they must be passed in a committee. This past Monday's Appropriations Committee was the final chance for them to be heard. (We debated about 23 of them in a meeting that lasted until 9 pm.) The rest of the week was spent in what's called Crossover Week debating and then voting on bills in more very long days. Those that passed a floor vote are headed to the Senate. Those that failed are dead for this year.
By the way, despite making up nearly half the Arizona State House, only about 7% of Democrats' bills even received a hearing. We have good ideas to address the affordable housing and homelessness crisis, support public education, protect the freedom to vote, and address Arizona's water shortage, but our proposals are rarely heard. That's not how democracy is supposed to work. I'm committed to a new Democratic majority that will allow ALL Arizonans to have a voice in our legislature.
We'll spend the rest of the session hearing bills passed by the State Senate, amending them, sending changes back for approval, and creating a budget. In this week's newsletter I'll focus on a few of the most controversial bills, how I voted and why.
It's truly an honor to serve you. Please contact me anytime.
Judy
Representative Judy Schwiebert, LD2
jschwiebert@azleg.gov, JudySchwiebert.com, 602-935-0468
K-12 Teacher Raises
Appropriations Committee
On Monday, we voted in committee on HCR2047 and HCR2048, the two Republican proposals to extend Prop 123 that was approved by voters almost 10 years ago.
It authorized the use of just the interest in what is now almost $8 Billion in the State Land Trust to increase school funding. However, it is now up for renewal. If voters don't renew Prop 123 this November, the distribution to schools will fall from 6.9% to a disastrous 2.5%.
Though parents of over a million children choose our high quality public schools each year, to the state legislature's great discredit, we still fund them at 49th in the nation. As a result, we're facing a severe educator shortage crisis. That's a disaster for everyone who wants a strong economy. We can't afford to provide schools with LESS funding.
So, it is vital that we work together to send a robust proposal for voters to approve. However, these two Republican proposals have fundamental problems. Both bills passed along party lines in committee, but here's why I voted NO. These two bills would
DECREASE the amount of the distribution to our already underfunded schools from 6.9 to 5.5%, equating to a 20% cut in proposed dollars for K-12 schools.
Exclude salary increases for many educators including some special education teachers, as well as counselors, librarians, nurses, classroom aides, reading specialists and others vital to student success and teacher retention.
Require schools to fire teachers and increase class sizes if they cannot maintain the salary increases with whatever amount the legislature appropriates to public schools in future years
Send TWO measures to the ballot which would be confusing. We barely passed Prop 123 ten years ago with just the one proposal that had bipartisan support. We need to work together on a single measure to put before voters.
Non-partisan stakeholders are still urging the one-seat majority to negotiate for a bipartisan solution that we can all support. Earlier this session, I was proud to introduce HCR2044 containing the Governor's proposal that would
INCREASE the distribution to schools from 6.9 to 8.9%. Over the past ten years, the fund has grown from $5.2 Billion to almost $8 billion, significantly outperforming projections and indicating there is additional capacity to provide these much needed salary increases.
Include ALL K-12 educators because they are essential to supporting student learning and teacher retention
Provide funding to help continue to keep our schools safe
NEXT STEPS: Legislators and the governor will have additional opportunities to negotiate a bi-partisan deal to support our children and educators - both before and after the next vote on the House Floor. Read more about how you can urge legislators to the table in this week's Save Our Schools newsletter - scroll down to Prop 123 Update.
Affordable Housing & Homelessness
Appropriations Committee
HB2782 (Gress) homeless shelter fund; performance audit
I share my neighbors' concern about the growing number of people living on our streets and in our washes. But this bill does nothing to solve the issue. Instead, it attempts to criminalize homelessness, which the Supreme Court has clearly stated is unconstitutional. So, Mr. Gress' bill would require the state to WASTE MILLIONS in legal fees and settlements that we could be using to actually address this crisis. It also attempts to claw back money from the Housing Trust Fund already earmarked for much needed affordable housing.
I've spent the past year visiting shelters and listening to experts who shared the need for many different solutions for this problem. That's why I supported $150 Million for the Housing Trust Fund and $60 Million for emergency services. In an earlier sub-committee, the bill sponsor and I heard from cities about how they're working to address the issue, and from the Department of Housing Director about how they're using those funds to ensure our dollars are being used wisely. Further, they reported that while the state provided $60 million for emergency services, they received over $300 Million in grant requests, Yet, it seems like the sponsor simply didn't want to hear them - or the other experts who oppose this bill.
The State, Counties, Cities and Towns are all working hard on this issue, but there is not enough funding to support proper services that are needed to prevent homelessness in the first place or lift someone out of this crisis. Instead of criminializing the most needy of us, we should be using our time and money to invest in more affordable housing and treatment.
I voted a strong NO on this bill, but it passed along party lines.
NEXT STEPS: This bill would have to be put on the calendar to receive a vote on the House Floor before proceeding to the Senate and then the Governor's desk for hopefully, a veto.
Appropriations Committee
HB2815 (Quinonez) religious institutions; use-by-right development
This bill provides a creative solution by allowing churches that want to follow their faith to build affordable housing on their unused parking lots or other property without having to go through an often expensive and time-consuming re-zoning process. I'm proud to be a co-sponsor of this bill that has received strong support from the Valley Interfaith Project, the Arizona Housing Coalition and others. These primarily small parcels would indeed provide a way for potentially small scale builders to take on projects and produce more affordable housing. It's a win-win.
I was an enthusiastic yes, and it passed 9-6 out of Appropriations. .
NEXT STEPS: HB2815 needs to be put on an agenda for discussion and then for a vote on the House floor.
House Floor
HB2570 (Biasiucci) planning; home design; restrictions; prohibition (Also known as the Arizona Starter Homes Act)
This is one of the hardest votes I've taken. I believe in local control - and generally oppose the extensive pre-emption of counties, cities, and school boards the state legislature has made in recent years. I also very much appreciate the work that Phoenix and other cities are already doing to address affordable housing.
However, the cost to buy a home - or even rent has skyrocketed in large part because Arizona is still 270,000 units short of what we need to house people. When I visited a shelter for seniors, one man forcefully told me, "I work a full time job. I don't need a shelter. I need a place I can afford to live. But no one can help me find that."
That man has a lot of company. Teachers, law enforcement, service workers and others can no longer find an affordable place to live as people of my generation were once able to do.
So, this bill does three things to reduce housing costs: It prohibits cities from forcing homebuyers to pay for luxury amenities they don't want - or from requiring the formation of an HOA that adds fees that many people can't afford. Outside of a historic area, it prohibits cities from regulating aesthetic features of a home that often drives up costs, and will prohibit cities from setting minimum lot sizes of more than 1500 square feet in NEW subdivisions that are greater than five acres.
The object is to legalize smaller more affordable homes on smaller more affordable lots. Requiring large lots can account for over 20% of the cost of a home.
I voted YES on this bill because I wanted to keep it alive for further discussion and potential amendments that can help continue to incentivize cities. Middle class families work hard, and they deserve an affordable place to call home.
NEXT STEPS: HB2570 will go to the State Senate to be heard in committee, and if passed there, will go for a vote before the whole Senate. Ultimately, the Governor will either sign it into law or veto it.
Republican Attacks on Arizona Businesses & Consumers
House Floor
HCR 2060 (Toma) lawful presence; e-verify program; penalties
This bill that requires additional e-verify costs for businesses as well as government does nothing to make Arizonans safer or make things fairer. In fact, it only has a detrimental effect on our economy by cutting off access to a sorely needed pool of employees amid our state's labor force shortage.
It will cause businesses increased costs, red tape, and even criminal penalties. Those costs, of course are ones that will be passed on to consumers in the form of higher food, housing and other prices.
Immigrants, people who have lived here for decades with no pathway to citizenship are filling jobs in construction and agriculture especially that employers can't find other Americans to do. Labor is scarce, and housing is expensive in part because we don't have construction labor.
Arizona has actually seen the largest drop in the undocumented population in the US, and the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce reports that the state’s undocumented workforce has remained stable since 2017, and makes up only 5.4% of Arizona’s total labor market.
Additionally, this bill sends Arizona backward to the disastrous days of SB1070 or the "show me your papers" law that led to millions in lost revenue for our state economy because it rightly or not, gave us a reputation as a racist state.
We need solutions in the form of policies that will allow immigrants to work legally, not further punishments that demonize and divide people. I encourage everyone to reach out to their representatives in Congress to push for much needed immigration reform. In fact, Republican leadership in the US House has refused to even allow discussion or a vote on a current bipartisan bill before them.
At a time when everyday Arizonans are crying out for relief from increasing costs, our Republican colleagues are passing laws that will only increase the cost of housing and food. That doesn't help any of us.
I voted NO on this bill, but it passed along party lines.
NEXT STEPS: HCR2060 will move to the Senate where it will be heard in committee, and if passed, will be discussed and voted on by the whole Senate. By making this bill an HCR, the sponsor goes around the governor and takes it directly to voters. Based on the number of Republicans using this strategy, it's looking to be a very crowded ballot.
A Win for Arizona Condo Owners
As I reported last week, my bill (HB2861) to ensure that Arizona condo owners at least receive fair market value for their homes when out-of-state corporations force them out, was passed unanimously in the Commerce committee. Thank you to my seat mate and co-sponsor Republican Rep Justin Wilmeth for joining me for another stakeholder meeting this past Friday to iron out some additional details.
NEXT STEPS: We're attaching an amendment that satisfies all stakeholders on Monday, and hope to get it up for discussion and a vote on the House Floor on Tuesday. In the meantime, I'm asking the Senate committee chair to save a place for it on one of his agendas so it can be voted on in that chamber and sent to the governor for her signature.
Black History Month
As a part of Black History Month, Dems in the House are celebrating local artists throughout February. On Tuesday, I was proud to recognize Tiesha Harrison, a storytelling visual artist and creator of I AM Undefined Art.
In addition to producing her own bold artwork, she leads transformative healing art workshops. Her Sunflower Soul Project which helps people who have experienced trauma, was created in memory of her sister Delores Smith who was killed as a result of domestic gun violence.
She has also collaborated with young people to foster dialogue about online safety and with What Makes Me Me, a Scottsdale exhibit featuring artwork created by people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Thank you Tiesha for igniting expression, promoting healing, and enriching our community.
Make your Voice Heard Next Week!
To learn what's coming up THIS week so you can make your voice heard in YOUR State House and Senate, on water, healthcare, and other policies. I highly recommend subscribing to weekly newsletters from the nonpartisan Civic Engagement Beyond Voting. (CEBV) You can read it and subscribe here.
Read this week's Save Our School Arizona's weekly newsletter here.
This week's edition features ways to help celebrate National Public Schools Week Feb 26-March March 2 as well as information about how to tell lawmakers to vote NO on the Current Prop 123 renewal moving in the legislature and to work together for a bipartisan solution.
We need YOU to help make a difference!
It was a really busy week at the Capitol. but I'm also committed to listening to my constituents. On Wednesday, I heard from folks at our LD2 Dems meeting on what's important to them. (Join us next month at 7 pm on March 20 in person or online)
On Thursday, I held my monthly virtual town hall to hear about constituents' concerns.
Then on Saturday, I met with Unitarian Universalist Church of Surprise who invited me to be the keynote speaker at their 2024 Good Trouble Congregation kickoff. This year's election is critical. Our district happens to be the one that will likely determine whether we have the same old legislative majority that's working to de-fund public education and roll back our freedoms, or a new one that works for all Arizonans. Let me know if you have an event you'd like me to attend.
Nominate a Community Builder!
As a lifelong member of our community, I'm so grateful to the many people and local businesses who make it such a great place to live. That's why I'm excited to be partnering with the Bell Road Business Alliance and Stoke Interactive to recognize many of the local Community Builders in our neighborhood.
We need YOU to make this happen, though! Check out our website at LD2NPCB.com to learn more about past recipients and nominate your favorite locally owned businesses or nonprofits in LD2 to thank them for the vital role they play in making our community the safe, thriving, unique place it is.
Be Part of the Team To Win for Everyday Arizonans
Volunteer For Our Campaign
We're already hard at work contacting voters in our community about what's at stake in the race for our Legislative District 2 House and Senate seats: a new majority that's listening and working for everyday Arizonans. But no one can do it alone.
The two most important things to do right now are
Join a Community Canvass. We're knocking doors and getting petition signatures to qualify for the ballot as we listen to fellow voters who want a legislature committed to addressing our shared priorities. Use this link to find a day and time that works for you. We'll buddy you up with someone experienced. We need door knockers and drivers.
Donate to our campaign. We need everyone's help to pay for the staff, literature, and other advertising that are essential to winning this competitive race.